Insect-proof weep hole



Feb. 25, 1969 B. BREWER 3,429,084

INSECT-PROOF WEEP HOLE Filed July 10, 1967 m yf/w-ae {7 55w BEEa/EQ United States Patent "Ice 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A duct assembly, to permit circulation of air, and drain condensation from between walls and to prevent invasion of insects, the duct assembly including a screen and an ant trap chamber.

This invention relates generally to air circulation devices for brick and concrete walls.

It is generally well known to those skilled in the art that in the construction of two walls adjacent each other, the removal of water condensation therebetween and the circulation of air therebetween is a necessity. At the same time it is also desired to prevent the invasion of insects through any method used to provide an air circulation and drain condensation removal. Heretofore it has been the practice during the wall construction to place an oil soaked sash cord in the joints and to remove the sash cord after the job was completed, or simply to punch a hole in the joint. This method, however, was not insect-proof. Thus there is a need for an improved system for circulation of air and a drain for the condensation.

Accordingly it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a duct assembly to permit circulation of air and to drain condensation from between walls while at the same time preventing an invasion of insects therethrough.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insect-proof weep hole which is made in a singular unit and which can be readily inserted and moulded into the concrete during structure of a joint.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an insect-proof weep hole which includes a screen over the enrance thereof.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an insect-proof Weep hole having an ant trap chamber therewithin so as to prevent the movement of ants through the duct even if the ant is sufiiciently small to have entered through the screen.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an insect-proof weep hole which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efiicient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation view of a wall showing the present invention installed therein;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the screen unit that forms a parts of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, reference numeral represents an insect-proof weep hole, according to the present invention, wherein there is an outer duct 11, and an inner duct 12 which is connected at one end removably to a duct extension 13.

3,429,084 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 The insect-proof weep hole 10 is installed in the brick wall 14 comprised of a plurality of bricks 15 in an interlocked fashion and which are spaced apart by joints 16 formed of a concrete mixture placed around the sides and bottom of each brick. As is shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, the wall 14 is adjacent a wall 17 between which is a relatively narrow space 18, the wall 17 being of a like construction as the wall 14. The insect-proof Weep hole 10 is installed in the wall 14 and may be connected to a duct extension 13 that is installed in the wall 17.

The insect-proof weep hole 10 is of generally Z-shaped configuration when viewed from a side, the configuration being formed by the positions of the inner and outer ducts. Each duct may be of any cross-sectional configuration such as rectangular as shown, round, square or oval. The weep hole unit may further be made of any material desired such as plastic, metal or the like.

At one end of the outer duct 11, there is a screen unit 19 installed which includes a frame 20 having a screen 21 installed therein. The screen is of a relatively very fine mesh so as to discourage the passage of insects therethrough. At the opposite end of the outer duct there is an ant trap chamber 22 installed which is adjacent one end of the inner duct 12. The ant trap chamber comprises a frame fitted between the inner and outer ducts, the frame being formed having downwardly converging sides 23 so as to form a lower lip 24 that is spaced away from the inner side 25 of the duct 11. Thus an ant traveling within the outer duct 11 cannot readily locate the relatively small opening formed by the edge 24 and which leads from the outer duct into the inner duct. The opposite end of the inner duct 12 is provided with an extension 26 extending out of the wall 14 and for the purpose of receiving the end 27 of the duct extension 13 located extending through the wall 17 The entire insect-proof weep hole device comprises a singular unit wherein the screen unit may be removed and replaced. The outer duct could be made round if preferred and threaded on its outer side, having a nut, gasket and lock nut for purpose of connection with walls other than masonry such as metal, Masonite or the like. The nut could be screwed on, then the weep hole inserted through a hole drilled for this purpose with the lock-nut outside.

In operative use, it will be noted that there is an air space 28 between the walls 14 and 17 which extends downwardly to the insect-proof weep hole. Therebelow there is a concrete fill 29. Condensation formed within the space 28 will thus drain out through the weep hole which will prevent the passage of insects thereinto from the outer side.

I claim:

1. In an insect-proof weep hole, the combination of an assembly including an outer duct and an inner duct having an ant trap therebetween, one end of said outer duct having screen means to prevent the entry of insects therethrough, and one end of said inner duct having connection means to a duct extension, said assembly being of Z-shaped configuration when viewed from a side, said outer duct being positioned at a lower elevation than said inner duct, said screen means comprising a frame fitted within the end of said outer duct, said frame having a screen integrally formed thereacross, said ant trap chamber comprising a frame between said ducts and being located below one end of said inner duct and above the opposite end of said outer duct, said frame being formed with downwardly converging sides having a lower edge forming a relatively small opening, said edge of said open- 3 4 ing being spaced apart accordingly from the inner Walls 2,782,464 2/1957 Joppich 52-303 of said lower outer duct to prevent an ant or other in- 2,997,806 3/1961 Duvan sect to readily locate said opening and pass therethrough.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

5 PRICE C. FAW, JR., Assistant Examiner.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,616,284 11/1952 Leontovi'ch 52-303 US. Cl. X.R. 2,779,065 1/1957 Rehme 52 303 43121; 52303 

